Neil Lennon backs Scott Brown recall for Scotland

ALAN TEMPLE

Neil Lennon has hit back at Scotland outcast Charlie Adam – insisting Gordon Strachan would never have recalled Scott Brown if it meant risking squad unity.

Stoke City’s Adam has been outspoken regarding his continued omission from the international set-up this week, suggesting his “face doesn’t fit” having made his last appearance for Strachan in a friendly against Qatar 16 months ago.

He also questioned the decision to bring former skipper Brown back into the fold for tonight’s clash with England, just 70 days after his “retirement”, suggesting it may not sit well with other members of the group desperate to make their mark.

Adam said: “Once you retire let somebody else have an opportunity, because they’ve been waiting for an opportunity for a long time. If he’s only going to come back for one game I don’t feel it’s right for the other players who are sat on the bench.”

However, Lennon, a former team-mate and manager of Brown as well as a player under Strachan, believes those criticisms are nonsense.

He said: “Gordon obviously thought about it and he wouldn’t have called him up if he thought it would be an issue.

“Regarding the dynamic of the dressing room, I would assume, with the decision that has been made, that Gordon is confident it will give the squad and the whole dressing room a real boost.”

Lennon has a hunch that Brown’s return to the dark blue is unlikely to be for one game only, particularly if Scotland can stun the Auld Enemy at Wembley.

He added: “I would like to think if he is playing well enough and feels good enough about things, he should continue to play for Scotland.

“If Scotland win and he gets a taste of it again why would you want to give that up again?”